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Friday, January 07, 2011

Great Books for Preschoolers from 2010

When there are so many new books being published every year, selecting something to read with your preschooler can be overwhelming. Here are a few suggestions from 2010, culled from a workshop presented by Marianne Baker, a Children’s Literature professor from James Madison University, and seconded by me, your library literacy outreach coordinator.

Each of these books embody several of the elements that support early literacy:

engaging illustrations,

rhyming text,

great vocabulary,

concept development,

and humor.

Remember, the most important aspect of the shared book experience is the closeness and fun experienced by the reader and the listener. Select books that appeal to you and your child and you can’t go wrong!

All of the books included are available at the Richmond Public Library - Check It Out!

"Cat. Dog. Tall Tree. Thank goodness for that!" With very few words used to convey all kinds of action, Mike Dumbleton's sparse yet descriptive text joins perfectly with Craig Smith's whimsical illustrations. Cat will have young listeners on the edges of their seats, ready to join Cat...thank goodness for that!

In minimal, rhyming text, an unidentified narrator describes its favorite kinds of dogs-big, small, stripy, spotty, tough, and soft-and, along the way, offers a subtle lesson in the meaning of opposites.

After meeting a bevy of baby animals -- including a clever monkey, a hairy warthog, and a dusty lion cub -- the baby in this story discovers the most precious creature of all...itself, of course! With an exuberant rhyming text by bestselling author Mem Fox and adorable cut-paper illustrations by Caldecott-Honor recipient Steve Jenkins, this book is an irresistible celebration of the joyful connection between parent and child.

This concept book focuses on sibling bonding of the two-to-four year old with the new baby in the family. Told in the voice of the big brother or sister, close-up photos show the two siblings together doing what each does best, such as drinking from bottle versus from a cup, or giving a toothless gummy smile versus a big toothy grin.

Jane Yolen's lyrical text is complemented by Stephane Jorisch's soft artwork, a pairing that is touching without being overly sentimental, which makes this the perfect choice for fathers and children to share.

One World, One Day uses exquisite, moving photographs and Barbara Kerley’s poetic text to convey a simple yet profound concept: we are one global family. This is a sophisticated concept book, presented as an elegant picture book with contributions from top international photographers.

Maya the cow, J.D. the piglet, Hilda the sheep, and a dozen more animals all speak directly to the reader, showing off their unique personalities in this wonderful collection of poems. Together the poems and paintings add up to a picture of life on the friendliest farm around. Maya Gottfried based her poems on real animals from Farm Sanctuary, a safe haven for injured or abused farm animals with locations in New York and California

Roly Poly Pangolin by Anna Dewdney
The author of "Llama Llama" creates another irresistible character--a little pangolin who'd rather stick close to his mama instead of facing anything unfamiliar.

Little girls will love the story of Margo, a girl with a tutu and a brilliantly imaginative mind. Lively text and charming illustrations that celebrate individuality and friendship will have fans of this new author-illustrator sister act calling for an encore!